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“I watched him last season in the defeat at St James Park and he was one of the few bright sparks, he wasn't playing well but at least you could see his effort was there and he was the one capable of creating something.

“But I don’t know, it just makes you think there’s something more than meets the eye.

“Maybe he is unhappy off the pitch or maybe his dogs have been unwell or something!

“You just don't know, these things happen but I think it certainly doesn’t look good value for money, it’s half a million pounds a week.”